Sheriff news releases

Woman nearly drowns tubing down Green River

Summary

A woman is in critical condition at Harborview Hospital after she fell off of an inner tube while floating down the Green River with friends at Flaming Geyser State Park this afternoon.

Story

The woman and two friends were on inner tubes floating down the river when the group fell off of their tubes and were swept downstream. A woman in the group was able to self rescue but the other two, a male and a female, continued downstream. People who witnessed the incident called 911 around 2:45pm and King County Fire District 44 (Mountain View Fire) and King County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to the scene.

When rescue personnel arrived they could hear someone yelling for help near a bridge downriver from where the pair was last seen. Rescue crews were able to reach the pair and pull them out of the river. The woman was unconscious and was airlifted to Harborview in life threatening condition.

In light of the warmer temperatures King County Officials are reminding the public of the dangers associated with water recreation. Rivers are inherently dangerous. With winter’s heavy mountain snowpack much of the Cascade Range is beginning to melt. Rivers in King County are expected to have cold, fast flows throughout the summer.

Anyone swimming, rafting or tubing should wear a U.S. Coastguard approved lifejacket. Never float the river alone and always tell someone your route, and when and where you expect to put in and take out.